Harp.



M. A. CLARK HARP.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN. 5.

Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

MELVILLE A. CLARK, OE SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

HARP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

Application filed January 5, 1912. Serial No. 669,573.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MELvrLLn A. CLARK, of Syracuse, in the county ofOnondago, in the State of New York, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Harps, of which the following, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improve ments in harps and otherstring instruments, involving the use of a multiplicity of strings,covering a plurality of octaves, those of certain literal denominations,as for eX- ample the C strings, being of one color, as red, while thoseof certain other denominations, as the F strings, are of another color,such as blue, while the remaining strings are preferably of light color,thereby facilitating the selection of the proper strings in rendering amusical selection.

In the construction of harps the tuning pins pass through the neck ofthe harp and project some distance to opposite sides thereof, thestrings being attached to the pins at one side of the neck, while theangular portions, for receiving the tuning key, are disposed at theopposite side, and owing to the fact that the strings are disposed atvarious angles to different portions of the neck and other parts of thestring frame, it is not always convenient, particularly with amateurs,to locate the pin for any particular string which may require tuning.

The primary object, therefore, of my present invention is to providemeans where by the tuning pin for any particular string may be moreeasily distinguished from the others, so as to enable the operator to6X- peditiously select the key for any string which may require tuningwith greater accuracy and therefore with less liability of error. Theimportance of this will be at once apparent when it is considered thatin many instances during the rapid tuning of the instrument, it notinfrequently happens that the operator will turn the wrong key andthereby vary the pitch of a previously tuned string, which of coursenecessitates readjustment and requires a longer time for proper tuning.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a top plan and Fig. 2 a side elevation of aportion of a harp embodying my invention.

The harp may be of any desired form and size, having a suitable neck 1-and the usual strings R-, B and -W, havmg their lower ends attached to asuitable sounding board on the frame as A and the r upper ends attachedto corresponding tuning pins 1', b and w. The strings -R- and theircorresponding tunlng pins r, dividing the several octaves, are of oneand the same color, as for example red, and in this instance representthe C strings, while another set of strings, as B and theircorresponding tuning pins b, throughout the several octaves, are ofanother color, as for example blue, and in this instance represent the Fstrings, while the remaining strings IV and their corresponding tuningpins 'w, are of still another or lighter color, representing theintermediate tones, and in order that the tun- 111g pins for the stringsof dilferent pitch may be easily and quickly selected for tuning, theyare made of the same color as their corresponding strings. For example,the tuning pins for the O strings are all of one color, correspondingapproximately to the color of their respective strings, while the tuningpins for the F strings are of a color corresponding to such strings, andthe tuning pins for the intermediate strings are still of another color,corresponding thereto, thereby enabling the operator to easily, quicklyand accurately select any one of the tuning pins corresponding to anypredetermined string which may require adjustment or tuning. In likemanner the bridge pins as m may be colored to correspond withtheirrespective strings and tuning pins and additionally facilitate theselection of the tuning pin for any string which may require tuning.

The tuning pins are usually tapered and inserted in correspondingapertures through the neck Z so as to protrude some distance to oppositesides thereof, the strings being located as usual at one side, while theangular portions for receiving the keys are located at the opposite sideof the neck.

By making the tuning pins of different colors,.in the manner described,it is evident that the entire series are divided into octaves and thateach octave is subdivided into smaller groups, as for example by thetion of one color difi'erent from that of the 10 first named pins andstrings.

In itness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand this 27th day of December1911.

MELVILLE A. CLARK.

keys representing the F strings, thus enabling the operator toaccurately select any pin for any particular string which may requiretuning With less liability to error.

WVhat I claim is z- A harp having certain tuning pins and theircorresponding strings in octave rela- Witnesses: t10n of one color, andcertain other pins and H. E. CHASE, their corresponding strings inoctave rela- I F. TUCKER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained ior five cents each, by addressing{the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G."

